Water wave transmission by an array of floating disks

An experimental validation of theoretical models of transmission of regular water waves by large arrays of floating disks is presented. The experiments are conducted in a wave basin. The models are based on combined potential-flow and thin-plate theories, and the assumption of linear motions. A low-concentration array, in which disks are separated by approximately a disk diameter in equilibrium, and a high-concentration array, in which adjacent disks are almost touching in equilibrium, are used for the experiments. The proportion of incident wave energy transmitted by the disks is presented as a function of wave period, and for different wave amplitudes. Results indicate that the models predict wave energy transmission accurately for small-amplitude waves and low-concentration arrays. Discrepancies for large-amplitude waves and high-concentration arrays are attributed to wave overwash of the disks and collisions between disks. Validation of model predictions of rigid-body motions of a solitary disk are also presented

Reflection and transmission of ocean wave spectra by a band of randomly distributed ice floes

A new ocean wave/sea-ice interaction model is proposed that simulates how a directional wave spectrum evolves as it travels through an arbitrary finite array of circular ice floes, where wave/ice dynamics are entirely governed by wave scattering effects. The model is applied to characterise the wave reflection and transmission properties of a strip of ice floes, such as an ice edge band. A method is devised to extract the reflected and transmitted directional wave spectra produced by the array. The method builds upon an integral mapping from polar to Cartesian coordinates of the scattered wave components. Sensitivity tests are conducted for a row of floes randomly perturbed from a regular arrangement. Results for random arrays are generated using ensemble averaging. A realistic ice edge band is then reconstructed from field experiments data. Simulations show a good qualitative agreement with the data in terms of transmitted wave energy and directional spreading. In particular, it is observed that short waves become isotropic quickly after penetrating the ice field

A steady-state magneto-optical trap with 100 fold improved phase-space density

We demonstrate a continuously loaded $^{88}\mathrm{Sr}$ magneto-optical trap (MOT) with a steady-state phase-space density of $1.3(2) \times 10^{-3}$. This is two orders of magnitude higher than reported in previous steady-state MOTs. Our approach is to flow atoms through a series of spatially separated laser cooling stages before capturing them in a MOT operated on the 7.4-kHz linewidth Sr intercombination line using a hybrid slower+MOT configuration. We also demonstrate producing a Bose-Einstein condensate at the MOT location, despite the presence of laser cooling light on resonance with the 30-MHz linewidth transition used to initially slow atoms in a separate chamber. Our steady-state high phase-space density MOT is an excellent starting point for a continuous atom laser and dead-time free atom interferometers or clocks.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure

Transcranial electric stimulation and cognitive training improves face perception

Recently, there has been much interest the effectiveness of cognitive training programmes across a variety of cognitive and perceptual domains. Some evidence suggests that combining training programmes with noninvasive brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) can enhance training gains, but to date this has only been examined in numerosity and arithmetic tasks. In this study, we examined whether tRNS modulated the effects of a face recognition training programme. Participants completed a face discrimination training task for an hour per day over five days. Each day, training was preceded by twenty minutes of active high frequency tRNS or sham stimulation, targeted at the posterior temporal cortices or the inferior frontal gyri (IFG). Participants who received active stimulation to the posterior temporal cortices showed significant improvement on a facial identity discrimination task (the Cambridge Face Perception Test) after training, whereas those receiving sham or IFG stimulation showed no performance change. There was no evidence of an effect of stimulation on a face memory task (the Cambridge Face Memory Test). These results suggest that tRNS can enhance the effectiveness of cognitive training programmes, but further work is needed to establish whether perceptual gains can be generalised to face memory

Surge motion of an ice floe in waves: comparison of theoretical and experimental models

A theoretical model and an experimental model of surge motions of an ice floe due to regular waves are presented. The theoretical model is a modified version of Morrison's equation, valid for small floating bodies. The experimental model is implemented in a wave basin at scale 1:100, using a thin plastic disk to model the floe. The processed experimental data displays a regime change in surge amplitude when the incident wavelength is approximately twice the floe diameter. It is shown that the theoretical model is accurate in the large wavelength regime, but highly inaccurate for the small wavelength regime.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figure

Sisyphus Optical Lattice Decelerator

We experimentally demonstrate a variation on a Sisyphus cooling technique that was proposed for cooling antihydrogen. In our implementation, atoms are selectively excited to an electronic state whose energy is spatially modulated by an optical lattice, and the ensuing spontaneous decay completes one Sisyphus cooling cycle. We characterize the cooling efficiency of this technique on a continuous beam of Sr, and compare it with radiation pressure based laser cooling. We demonstrate that this technique provides similar atom number for lower end temperatures, provides additional cooling per scattering event and is compatible with other laser cooling methods. This method can be instrumental in bringing new exotic species and molecules to the ultracold regime.Comment: 11 pages, 11 figure

El liderazgo transformacional y los procesos evaluativos universitarios en México

No existen evidencias de la aplicación del modelo de Liderazgo Transformacional en Universidades Públicas. Resulta útil investigar las manifestaciones de los diferentes estilos de liderazgo, y el estudio del constructo “autoridad”. Surgen dos líneas de estudio: una de interés teórico, y otra de aplicación práctica. El interés teórico se centra en validar el instrumento de análisis de la teoría de liderazgo transformacional en el contexto y realidad de las Universidades Públicas en México. La validez empírica, se amplia y refuerza con criterios de calidad y eficacia, emitidos éstos por los Comités Interinstitucionales de Evaluación de la Educación Superior en México (CIEES) respecto a los programas académicos, objeto de estudio.___________________________________________There is no evidence about applying this model of leadership in Public Universities. It is very useful to do a research about the different styles of leadership and the study of the constructo “authority”. Two lines of research arise, one from a theorical interest and the other one from a practical application. The theorical interest is centered to validate the instrument of analysis from the transformational leadership theory in the reality of the Public Universities in Mexico. The empiric validity of the instrument in order to widen it as well as to reinforce it with quality criteria and efficacy, which it will come from the Interinstitutional Evaluation Committees from the Superior Education in Mexico (CIEES) according to the academic programs in regards of this study